Quarterbacks - Great Shape
While the theme coming out of Wildcats spring practices was that sophomore Brandon Dawkins was challenging two-year starter Anu Solomon, we're not necessarily buying that. Solomon wasn't the problem for the Wildcats last year, and the solution to whatever struggles he had probably is more based in his staying healthy. In any event, if Dawkins is good enough to beat out a solid, experienced player like Solomon, you'd think he's going to be pretty darn good. Such a scenario also would give Arizona a nice situation with its backup QB.
Running Backs - Good Shape
The only thing holding the Wildcats back from the "Great Shape" category is Nick Wilson's health record. He proved to be ultra productive as a true freshman, but missed a boatload of time in 2015 due to injury. If Wilson remains active in 2016, Arizona is in business. If he isn't able to consistently remain in the lineup, the Wildcats' depth will be tested. Five-foot-eight, 206-pound Orlando Bradford is built like a small tank; he can punish opposing tacklers. Branden Leon and Zach Green seem to be next in the pecking order, but they've yet to establish themselves under the bright lights.
Wide Receivers - Good Shape
Arizona: The guy to watch is Trey Griffey, who coaches say had an outstanding spring and is really growing into the role as the team’s most physical receiver. Along with Samajie Grant and Nate Phillips, the Wildcats have an enviable starting trio that should be extremely productive. There’s some depth as well with Cam Denson making the switch from corner to receiver, along with the speedy Tyrell Johnson – the team’s fastest player (if he can stay healthy). Former walk-on Abraham Mendivil has shown progress, and redshirt freshman Cedric Peterson had a strong spring.
Offensive Line - Good Shape
The line appears to be a definite strength for the Wildcats. Six-foot-eight monster Freddie Tagaloa will man one of the spots, and he's a surefire NFL draft prospect. The key here is the big man's health: If Tagaloa can remain in the lineup for the entirety of 2016, Arizona will have a strong anchor to complement guard Jacob Alsadek. Layth Friekh and Gerhard de Beer are two more dependable veteran names in this lineup, which will also feature a promising crop of youngsters.
Defensive Line - We'll See
The Wildcats are retooling their defensive scheme under new coordinator Marcel Yates, who formerly coached at Boise State. There will be experience up front: The only departing starter is end Reggie Gilbert. The primary trio is set to be comprised of Luca Bruno, Parker Zellers, and Sani Fuimaono, while players such as Marcus Griffin have reportedly benefited from the team's switch to a more aggressive scheme. Arizona's linemen are not huge, so aggressiveness is key here. But we won't know if the adaptation has been a successful one until September at the earliest.
Linebacker - Good Shape
Arizona: The Wildcats still haven’t necessarily identified what their base defense is going to be. But even in the old regime, before Marcel Yates came aboard, the Wildcats were technically a 3-3-5 but often times were multiple. If they settle into the 4-2-5 that Yates ran at Boise State, DeAndre' Miller fits the OLB position. Cody Ippolito is back in the middle after missing last season with an ACL injury. Paul Magloire has experience at safety and linebacker, though he ended 2015 at the linebacker spot. Jake Matthews should also be back after a season-ending injury against Utah last year. Those four have quality experience. But depth is still an issue. RJ Morgan and Derrick Turituri (who also missed last season) will try to fill in some gaps.
Defensive Backs - We'll See
Arizona: Much like we’re taking a wait-and-see approach to the linebackers, the secondary will also depend on whether the Wildcats base in a four- or five-DB set. Cornerback Dane Cruikshank had a strong spring, as did returner DaVonte’ Neal. Jace Whittaker and Sammy Morrison both have some starting experience. Jarvis McCall has moved from corner to safety, and Demetrius Flannigan-Fowles saw some time as a true freshman last season. Anthony Mariscal, who redshirted a year ago, also had a strong spring. Going forward, we’ll need to keep an eye on the situation with Tellas Jones, who missed spring practice for violating team rules and his status remains a question.
While the theme coming out of Wildcats spring practices was that sophomore Brandon Dawkins was challenging two-year starter Anu Solomon, we're not necessarily buying that. Solomon wasn't the problem for the Wildcats last year, and the solution to whatever struggles he had probably is more based in his staying healthy. In any event, if Dawkins is good enough to beat out a solid, experienced player like Solomon, you'd think he's going to be pretty darn good. Such a scenario also would give Arizona a nice situation with its backup QB.
Running Backs - Good Shape
The only thing holding the Wildcats back from the "Great Shape" category is Nick Wilson's health record. He proved to be ultra productive as a true freshman, but missed a boatload of time in 2015 due to injury. If Wilson remains active in 2016, Arizona is in business. If he isn't able to consistently remain in the lineup, the Wildcats' depth will be tested. Five-foot-eight, 206-pound Orlando Bradford is built like a small tank; he can punish opposing tacklers. Branden Leon and Zach Green seem to be next in the pecking order, but they've yet to establish themselves under the bright lights.
Wide Receivers - Good Shape
Arizona: The guy to watch is Trey Griffey, who coaches say had an outstanding spring and is really growing into the role as the team’s most physical receiver. Along with Samajie Grant and Nate Phillips, the Wildcats have an enviable starting trio that should be extremely productive. There’s some depth as well with Cam Denson making the switch from corner to receiver, along with the speedy Tyrell Johnson – the team’s fastest player (if he can stay healthy). Former walk-on Abraham Mendivil has shown progress, and redshirt freshman Cedric Peterson had a strong spring.
Offensive Line - Good Shape
The line appears to be a definite strength for the Wildcats. Six-foot-eight monster Freddie Tagaloa will man one of the spots, and he's a surefire NFL draft prospect. The key here is the big man's health: If Tagaloa can remain in the lineup for the entirety of 2016, Arizona will have a strong anchor to complement guard Jacob Alsadek. Layth Friekh and Gerhard de Beer are two more dependable veteran names in this lineup, which will also feature a promising crop of youngsters.
Defensive Line - We'll See
The Wildcats are retooling their defensive scheme under new coordinator Marcel Yates, who formerly coached at Boise State. There will be experience up front: The only departing starter is end Reggie Gilbert. The primary trio is set to be comprised of Luca Bruno, Parker Zellers, and Sani Fuimaono, while players such as Marcus Griffin have reportedly benefited from the team's switch to a more aggressive scheme. Arizona's linemen are not huge, so aggressiveness is key here. But we won't know if the adaptation has been a successful one until September at the earliest.
Linebacker - Good Shape
Arizona: The Wildcats still haven’t necessarily identified what their base defense is going to be. But even in the old regime, before Marcel Yates came aboard, the Wildcats were technically a 3-3-5 but often times were multiple. If they settle into the 4-2-5 that Yates ran at Boise State, DeAndre' Miller fits the OLB position. Cody Ippolito is back in the middle after missing last season with an ACL injury. Paul Magloire has experience at safety and linebacker, though he ended 2015 at the linebacker spot. Jake Matthews should also be back after a season-ending injury against Utah last year. Those four have quality experience. But depth is still an issue. RJ Morgan and Derrick Turituri (who also missed last season) will try to fill in some gaps.
Defensive Backs - We'll See
Arizona: Much like we’re taking a wait-and-see approach to the linebackers, the secondary will also depend on whether the Wildcats base in a four- or five-DB set. Cornerback Dane Cruikshank had a strong spring, as did returner DaVonte’ Neal. Jace Whittaker and Sammy Morrison both have some starting experience. Jarvis McCall has moved from corner to safety, and Demetrius Flannigan-Fowles saw some time as a true freshman last season. Anthony Mariscal, who redshirted a year ago, also had a strong spring. Going forward, we’ll need to keep an eye on the situation with Tellas Jones, who missed spring practice for violating team rules and his status remains a question.
